About Why should AS400 Programmers upgrade to an IDE?
AS400, iSERIES and even IBM i programmers have used the green-screen SEU editor to write their RPG code for decades. The Source Entry Utility is essentially a NOTEPAD editor which runs natively on the IBM i System. It's been around ever since the AS400 and iSERIES machines. SEU was discontinued several years ago, it still works but has not been maintained so it does not check syntax for any of the newer program code logic. So what are the alternatives?
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AS400, iSERIES and even IBM i programmers have used the green-screen SEU editor to write their RPG code for decades. The Source Entry Utility is essentially a NOTEPAD editor which runs natively on the IBM i System. It's been around ever since the AS400 and iSERIES machines. SEU was discontinued several years ago, it still works but has not been maintained so it does not check syntax for any of the newer program code logic. So what are the alternatives?
Integrated Development Environments for IBM i Systems
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An integrated development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities for software development. An IDE normally consists of at least a source-code editor, build automation tools, and a debugger.
For modern development on the IBM i System, you have several excellent IDE options: 1. Visual Studio Code (VS Code): This is a highly customizable and popular open-source IDE. With extensions like "Code for IBM i," you can connect to IBM i systems, edit, compile, and debug code directly from VS Code¹². It supports various programming languages used on IBM i, such as RPG, COBOL, and CL. 2. IBM Rational Developer for i (RDi): Built on the Eclipse platform, RDi is specifically designed for IBM i development. It offers advanced features like syntax highlighting, code completion, integrated debugging, and build automation³⁵. 3. IBM i Modernization Engine for Lifecycle Integration (Merlin): This is a newer tool that integrates modern development and DevOps processes. It aligns IBM i application development with standards around Jenkins, Git, and uses a browser-based Theia IDE, which is compatible with Visual Studio Code⁴. These IDEs provide robust tools and features to enhance productivity and streamline the development process on IBM i systems.
The Original IBM IDE : SEU (Source Entry Utility)
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SEU, IBM's Source Entry Utility (aka Stoneage Editing Utility) is a basic green screen code editor. SEU runs exclusively in terminal mode, offering a solid (if outdated) source code editing tool. It's basic but has a long heritage and some very well known techniques... and some nifty secret tricks...
What is SEU and how do we use it on our Power System? Was it the same back in the AS400 and iSeries days?
Let's play with SEU in the real world. In this example, we can edit some IBM RPG source code using the IBM i Source Entry Utility.
SEU to Edit DDS File Source Code
What is SDA? Screen Design Aid - old Blokes on AS400 known what this is!
Green Screen Alternatives to SEU. Column based source code editing with SEU!
IBM IDE : Rational Developer for IBM i
Free For All
Download Install and Use Rational Developer (RDi)
Step 1 – Visit the IBM i Rational Developer website
Step 2 - Download Rational Developer for IBM i (RDi)
Step 3 – Install RDi (Windows)
Step 4 – Run RDi 9.6
Step 5 – Using Rational Developer for IBM i
Apply RDi License after trial period
Watch some English Bloke Download and Install IBM Rational Developer for IBM i
Launch RDi, Connect and Signon (PUB400 IBM i System)
Apply RDi License
Import DDS DSPF using RDi
Change RDi Theme from Light to Dark
Microsoft IDE : Visual Studio Code for IBM i
Free For All
What is the IDE called commonly known as 'VS Code'?
What is the IDE called commonly known as 'VS Code'?
Modern IBM i programmers are increasingly using Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for several reasons: 1. Flexibility and Customization : VS Code is highly customizable with a vast array of extensions that support various programming languages, including RPG, COBOL, and CL, which are commonly used on IBM i systems. 2. Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Features : VS Code offers features like syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, and version control integration, which enhance productivity and make coding more efficient. 3. Open Source and Free : Unlike some other IDEs, VS Code is open-source and free, making it accessible to a wide range of developers. 4. Remote Development : With extensions like "Code for IBM i," developers can connect to their IBM i systems remotely, allowing them to edit, compile, and debug code directly from VS Code. 5. Community and Support : The active community around VS Code means there are plenty of resources, tutorials, and forums available to help developers troubleshoot issues and learn new features.
Come on now... You know the answer to this!
What is the IDE called commonly known as 'VS Code'?
Watch some English Bloke Download and Install Visual Studio Code for IBM i
What is the IDE called commonly known as 'VS Code'?
Let’s get you sorted on finding the Node.js version on your IBM i system using QSH—don’t worry, it’s not as tricky as it sounds, even if QSH can be a bit of a grumpy old tool! Since you’re working on IBM i, Node.js runs in the PASE (Portable Application Solutions Environment), and we’ll need to poke around there to get the version info. Here’s how to do it, with a bit of humor to keep things light.
How to Connect to PUB400 IBM i Server Using Visual Studio Code, we’re going to unlock the power of Visual Studio Code (VS-Code)—one of the most popular code editors in the world—to seamlessly connect with PUB400, a free, public IBM i server perfect for learning and experimentation. Whether you’re an IBM i veteran looking to modernize your workflow or a newcomer eager to explore the platform’s capabilities, this course will guide you step-by-step through the process of setting up a robust development environment. You’ll learn how to establish a secure connection, configure essential extensions, and start coding on IBM i with the tools and efficiency of VS-Code. By the end, you’ll be ready to tackle IBM i projects with confidence, blending the platform’s legendary reliability with the flexibility of modern development practices. Let’s dive in and get connected—your IBM i adventure starts here!